Player Discussion Alexis Lafrenière

[Peltz]

I for one think we're kinda lucky that Chytil, Laf, Kakko have taken time to develop (in Middle-6 roles).

It helps us stay under the cap and surround them with top-end talent like Patrick Kane, Tarasenko, etc... so we can compete for championships.

If you put them on PP1 and fed them top-line minutes, then we'd have to pay them more and we wouldn't be able to fit everyone.

You wouldn’t need top end talent if the kids produced. You’d need middle six guys which are easier to get.

But I’m not worried. They’ll get there. I like them and think they’re going to have a good playoffs.

I’m more worried that the top 6 has gotten soft with the addition of Kane.

 

[bhamill]

On the other hand them, especially the wonder twins, underperforming has forced the Rangers to go out and spend assets on guys like Tarasenko and Kane instead of holding onto them and continuing to refill the pipeline with cheap talent.

This is true. Having them blossom early would have been FAR preferable in most of our estimations I’d guess.

You wouldn’t need top end talent if the kids produced. You’d need middle six guys which are easier to get.

But I’m not worried. They’ll get there. I like them and think they’re going to have a good playoffs.

Agreed.

 

[Bob Richards]

On the other hand them, especially the wonder twins, underperforming has forced the Rangers to go out and spend assets on guys like Tarasenko and Kane instead of holding onto them and continuing to refill the pipeline with cheap talent.

Yeah no amount of "at least we stayed under the cap" stuff is going to make me feel better about drafting Jesper Fast at 2nd and 1st overall in back to back years.

 

[TheDirtyH]

On the other hand them, especially the wonder twins, underperforming has forced the Rangers to go out and spend assets on guys like Tarasenko and Kane instead of holding onto them and continuing to refill the pipeline with cheap talent.

nothing forced that. Kakko and Lafreniere were both performing great with Kreider-Zibanejad and Panarin-Trochek, respectively. Gallant Nerfed the lines as usual and refused to ever go back to them.

 

[DanielBrassard]

nothing forced that. Kakko and Lafreniere were both performing great with Kreider-Zibanejad and Panarin-Trochek, respectively. Gallant Nerfed the lines as usual and refused to ever go back to them.

And Vesey was even better on both lines than both, does that mean they shouldn't have attempted to upgrade at either position? I guess you could make that argument. Point being if Kakko and Lafreniere were performing as expected the Rangers would not have felt the need to upgrade on them whether they should have or not.

 

[TheDirtyH]

And Vesey was even better on both lines than both, does that mean they shouldn't have attempted to upgrade at either position? I guess you could make that argument. Point being if Kakko and Lafreniere were performing as expected the Rangers would not have felt the need to upgrade on them whether they should have or not.

It means they were not forced to anything. Do I think they should've left two lines together that both a) out-played opponents and b) kept Kakko and Lafreniere in the top 6 with our best players? Yes. Why wouldn't we?

 

[DanielBrassard]

It means they were not forced to anything. Do I think they should've left two lines together that both a) out-played opponents and b) kept Kakko and Lafreniere in the top 6 with our best players? Yes. Why wouldn't we?

The Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere line was break even in xGF% and -3 in goal differential. So were they really outplaying the opponent? There's certainly more of an argument for the other line. Either way the Rangers didn't trust either one in the top-6. Forced is a bit subjective term I suppose but the Rangers felt they needed to make the switch. If Lafreniere and Kakko were producing at top-6 level individually I don't think the Rangers would have made the decisions they did.

 

[Callafan24]

To be clear, I'm certainly not thrilled with the current state of Laf & Kakko. But they were consensus picks so it's not like we swung and missed a la Kravstov, McIlrath, Andersson... Anyone would have drafted them 1 and 2.

Chytil, Kakko, and Lafreniere are pacing for 40-50 points each with Middle-6 minutes. They're all having their best seasons to date. Hope that continues trending upwards.

 

[TheDirtyH]

The Panarin-Trocheck-Lafreniere line was break even in xGF% and -3 in goal differential. So were they really outplaying the opponent? There's certainly more of an argument for the other line. Either way the Rangers didn't trust either one in the top-6. Forced is a bit subjective term I suppose but the Rangers felt they needed to make the switch. If Lafreniere and Kakko were producing at top-6 level individually I don't think the Rangers would have made the decisions they did.

It's just both, always been both. Those two have underwhelmed and the Rangers have seemingly willed that script into existence as best they can. The xGF numbers are inexact, but they certainly didn't play 35 games together as Evolving-Hockey cites; that line lasted until 11/06 against Detroit. Lafreniere, Panarin, and Trocheck were all between 52-53% xGF at 5v5 in that time.

Forced is definitely a 'subjective term' if by that you mean it's not really true. I'm not even saying these kids are awesome, but it's seriously been Gallant's M.O. all year to only put together lines that don't work and break up ones that do. To your point, the way Vesey was playing in the top six alone already means they weren't forced to add top6 RWers. They just said, f*** it, we're the Rangers.

 

[PANARIN BREAD FAN]

It means they were not forced to anything. Do I think they should've left two lines together that both a) out-played opponents and b) kept Kakko and Lafreniere in the top 6 with our best players? Yes. Why wouldn't we?

simple. the organization starting with GG to all the way to the top all thought that type of success would not be sustained throughout the whole entire season. it did work for a brief period. no self delusions regarding that.

let's use boston as an example. there was a brief moment that their line was clicking with hall-coyle-frederic. but the coach was not delusional thinking that this would last for a whole entire season.

 

[ReddestRum]

Edit: Lol. No ill-will whatsoever, BH. I've always respected your opinion concerning Laf. Kind of just wanted a reason to post a meme while our boy here goes through the longest no-points stretch of the season.

 

[Shesterkybomb]

Jack Hughes has the insane speed and skating. He’s a star.

Until he gets caught with his head down then he's gonna be a puddle.

 

[bhamill]

Yeah, Laf has definitely disappeared on the scoreboard, partially because no one finishes his setups, but I see him doing things I like to see every game. He gets involved on every level, with one glaring exception, hahaha, the scoresheet. Of course I'm disappointed with his numbers, but I still don't fret over him in the long run.

 

[markymarc1215]

Like Kakko, I was expecting more, but there has been forward progress this year. Next year is going go be a make-or-break year for both of them. They should have top 6 spots etched, and ultimately will have to become cornerstones of the team to ensure long term success.

 

[EdJovanovski]

Like Kakko, I was expecting more, but there has been forward progress this year. Next year is going go be a male-or-break year for both of them. They should have top 6 spots etched, and ultimately will have to become cornerstones of the team to ensure long term success.

There has?

 

[haohmaru]

There has?

Kravtsov moved forward to Vancouver.

 

[duhmetreE]

Edit: Lol. No ill-will whatsoever, BH. I've always respected your opinion concerning Laf. Kind of just wanted a reason to post a meme while our boy here goes through the longest no-points stretch of the season.

He needs 8 points in his last 10 for 40? It's not that far fetched

 

[The Crypto Guy]

Edit: Lol. No ill-will whatsoever, BH. I've always respected your opinion concerning Laf. Kind of just wanted a reason to post a meme while our boy here goes through the longest no-points stretch of the season.

6 points away from 40. 9 games to go.

 

[Gordon Bombay]

Lafresgu has skill

 

[ReddestRum]

6 points away from 40. 9 games to go.

It took him 8 games to get on the board. Cool.

Lafresgu has skill

Great move coming in.

Let's rejoice! LOL.

 

[The Crypto Guy]

It took him 8 games to get on the board. Cool.



Great move coming in.

Let's rejoice! LOL.

Imagine actively rooting so against a 21 year old former 1st overall pick on your team…so pathetic.

 

[Gordon Bombay]

It took him 8 games to get on the board. Cool.



Great move coming in.

Let's rejoice! LOL.

We can't whine and we can't celebrate. What can I post?

 

[ReddestRum]

Imagine actively rooting so against a 21 year old former 1st overall pick on your team…so pathetic.

We can't whine and we can't celebrate. What can I post?

I don't post forever, and no one's saying shit because he's invisible for a long stretch of games. Then I make a joke post when the other kids are scoring and he's been off the sheet for a season high 8 games. Then I get quote jumped by you guys because he gets on the board with 2 and I'm supposed to jump for f***ing joy because you want to gotcha post. I've never rooted against Laf. Just put me on ignore and go celebrate like you won the lottery.

 

[Gordon Bombay]

I don't post forever, and no one's saying shit because he's invisible for a long stretch of games. Then I make a joke post when the other kids are scoring and he's been off the sheet for a season high 8 games. Then I get quote jumped by you guys because he gets on the board with 2 and I'm supposed to jump for f***ing joy because you want to gotcha post. I've never rooted against Laf. Just put me on ignore and go celebrate like you won the lottery.

Lol, you quoted me my dude. Unless your sir avgard my post had nothing to do with you. Go have a beer, enjoy the win and chill out

 

[ReddestRum]

Lol, you quoted me my dude. Unless your sir avgard my post had nothing to do with you. Go have a beer, enjoy the win and chill out

I literally said it was a great move coming in. Lol. The rejoice part wasn't sarcasm because he actually showed some hands there that he normally doesn't show, but your reply seemed you took it exactly like that. You can't make a post like that, not expect a negative response, and then tell me to go have a beer. LOL.